New P100D Tesla Model S goes harder, lasts longer

Tesla has made a point of making electric cars exciting and sexy, rather than just focusing on the environmental benefits. So far it's worked – the Model S P90D has won fans with its range and luxurious interior, but most of the people who've driven it come away and just say wow, that thing is fast. Now it's even faster, thanks to the addition of the P100D model.

Forgetting about outright performance for a moment, the extra 10 kWh of battery capacity provides the Model S with a 21 mile (34 km) range boost. That means owners are able to cover 315 miles (613 km on the EU cycle) on a single charge which, according to Tesla, makes the Model S P100D the longest-range electric vehicle on the market today.

As well as being the longest range EV out there, the Model S P100D with Ludicrous Mode is billed as the third-fastest accelerating production car in the world, behind the LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder. Sixty mph (98 km/h) flies by in just 2.5 seconds, all in a car with room for five and a massive boot.

It's not just the Model S benefitting from this bigger battery, it's also available on the Model X. Although capacity is the same, the heavier SUV can only manage 289 miles (542 km EU) on a single charge, and it takes 2.9 seconds to hit 60 mph. Although that's not quite as fast as the sedan, it's still enough to make the Model X the fastest accelerating SUV in the world.

The Model X is a bit heavier and slower than the Model S, but it can still scare seven passengers like no other SUV

Unfortunately, all this extra performance and range comes at a cost. People who already have a P90D Model S or Model X on order can pay US$10,000 to have their car upgraded, but owners who have already taken delivery are up for $20,000 to cover the cost of recycling the existing battery.

Tesla was also keen to point out that, while expensive, each range-topping car sold is funding the Model 3's development.